"It's not a league rule, but it's the league's request that you don't wear the black one," James said before Saturday's game. "The reasons they told me didn't make sense to me, but I'm just a player. I will abide by the request."

James appealed to keep the black carbon fiber shield in which he scored 31 points against the Knicks on Thursday. James likes the comfort and look of it, ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reported .

"We've had numerous ones made, so he will have his pick and will choose one that is authorized also by the league," Coach Erik Spoelstra told ESPN.com Saturday. "We did talk to the league (Friday)."